Umar Sarfaraz Cheema moves IHC against his removal as Punjab governor

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Umar Sarfaraz Cheema on Thursday challenged the notification of his removal as Punjab governor in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), reported 24NewsHD TV channel.  

In his petition, which he filed through Babar Awan Advocate, he argued that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in order to facilitate the oath-taking of his son Hamza Shehbaz as Punjab chief minister, removed him from the office in violation of the rules and regulations.   

Cheema also sought the court order for action against those who got the notification issued by the Cabinet Division. 

He further said that a governor was the representative of the federation, and not part of the executive, in a province. “He can remain in the office so long as he enjoys the support of the president. In the light of the verdicts given by the Supreme Court (SC), the powers of a president cannot be snatched from him by invoking rules,” read the petition.   

Furthermore, the former governor went on to add that the notification had created a constitutional crisis in Punjab. “Therefore, it is prayed to the court to declare the notification of my removal from the seat null and void,” Cheema concluded. 

However, Assistant Registrar at the Diary Branch of the court Asad Khan objected to the petition, saying since the matter pertained to a province, it did not lie in the jurisdiction of the IHC. “The court cannot hear the petition against two persons made respondents in the petition,” he added. 

Reporter: Ihtesham Kiyani